Indian team's senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to return to international cricket after a gap of 6 months. The star player has been named in the Indian squad for IND vs AUS 1st two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on February 9 in Nagpur.
Jadeja hasn't played a single match for team India since September 2022 due to a knee surgery. After recovering, he recently played a Ranji Trophy match to prove his fitness, taking 7/53 for Saurashtra. The senior player, who missed the T20 World Cup due to knee issues, revealed his chances of playing 2022 T20 World Cup were less even if he had delayed his knee surgery.
"I was eagerly waiting to make a comeback and play for India. I had been struggling with my knee for sometime, so surgery was needed. I had to take the decision whether to go for the surgery before the World Cup or after. Doctors advised me to do it before the World Cup because chances were less of playing at the World Cup had I not got the surgery done. So, I made up my mind to go for it," said Jadeja in a BCCI video.
"Excited that I'm wearing the Indian jersey after more than five months. I have been blessed that I got a chance again. The (recovery) journey was quite up and down because if you stay away from cricket for five months then it is a little bit frustrating.
"Physios and trainers at the NCA have worked a lot on my knee and given me a lot of time. Even on off days (Sunday at NCA), they used to especially come for me. Hopefully from hereon everything will be good," Jadeja said.